Powdered Sugar, 4X, 10X, What To Use For?
Decorating By flowerscakes Updated 10 Aug 2006 , 12:33pm by Steady2Hands
Hi, I just came across your forums and wow, im hooked. I just wanted to say hi to everyone hear, seems like a pretty great community of people, hope to learn alot.. love to decorate cakes 
Anyways, my question is about the different types of powdered sugars, I know that 10x is used for icings, and its all i ever buy, but what is the 4x stuff used for? They had it on sale at the grocery store, super cheap, $0.50 a box, and i thought to myself, what do you use this for?
The main difference is the amount of times it has been sifted, the more it is sifted the finer it is. If you buy the 4x, sift it a few more times. Some bakers prefer 6x as it has more body to it, although it may have a little more lumps, which of course you don't want in BC.Some of the sugars may have different ratios of corn starch also.
Also, welcome flowerscakes. You are going to LOVE it here. I have learned SOOOOOOOOOO much in the short time I have been here. Actually, more than I have learned in the 6 years I have been playing with decorating, and more than I have learned in the 3 classes I have taken.
I wondered what the difference was too, and thanks to my friends on CC, now I know!
My instructor told us to always use 10X, but many of the brands in the grocery stores don't list what it is, and I just purchased a 25 lb box of it at GFS for 16.87, but it is 6x.
Should I sift it several times before using it in my bc? I hate sifting. I get powdered sugar everywhere, even on my ceiling somehow. 
My kitchen looks like a snowstorm in the middle of august!
Well, I'll use this box I guess. Then back to my old 10x ps.
Thanks!
thank you, its nice to meet you all 
I hate sifting sugar as well, sometimes i ask my dh to do it, i hate the mess! I use the largest bowl i have, which is really big, and i still end up with powdered sugar everywhere! lol
thanks for the replies!
If I remember correctly Imperial is the only one that actually says 10x. When I have to sift, whether I use my hand crank for smaller batches or my big open one I always put a towel over it so it won't go all over the place, at least it contains it some.
Actually the dixie crystals powdered sugar i buy listed on their boxes 10x and 4x, i buy them at publix, and the publix brand of powdered sugar also lists it on the box... i've never used the 4x stuff though... what would you use that for? cookies?
Just wanted to say hello and welcome to flowerscakes. You're going to love, love, love it here!!!!
Also, Domino powdered sugar says "10x" on its bags.
I thought that the "x" (4x or 6x or 10x) refered to the size of the mesh used to strain the sugar througg, not the number of times it was sifted. If I rememebr correctly, the 4x is the largest sugar particle size.
But, I'm not a professional, so I'm not completely sure. But I read about the "x" mesh size on several websites...
From the Domino sugar website (http://www.dominosugar.com/info/faq.asp):
"The "X" designations are derived from the mesh sizes of the screens used to separate powdered sugar into various sizes. Thus, 4X would have a larger particle size, whereas 10X would have a smaller particle size."
I found these two articles from web search's about powdered sugar differences:
Q & A from Imperial Sugar
What is the difference between 4x Powdered Sugar and 10x Powdered Sugar?
The difference between the two powdered confectioner sugars is that the 10x Powdered Confectioner Sugar is a lot finer than the 4X Powdered Confectioner Sugar, it is easier to use for whipping than the 4X Powdered Confectioner Sugar. Powdered sugar, as well as granulated and brown sugars, is best when stored in a cool, dry place. There is no expiration or shelf life of sugar, but if stored properly, will last until it is used.
Q & A from Domino Sugar
Q. What is the difference between Domino® 4X and 10X Confectioners Sugar?
A. The "X" designations are derived from the mesh sizes of the screens used to separate powdered sugar into various sizes. Thus, 4X would have a larger particle size, whereas 10X would have a smaller particle size.
Sam's Club also carries a brand that is 10x. I don't ever have to sift it.
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